Singapore Wants You! (And why you should want it back!)

I've just arrived in Singapore a few hours ago. I'm exhausted from teh past 5 days, and the past 3 weeks, and the past month! That's right, today officially marks the start of my second month traveling! I can't believe all this time has past, but then again, I can't believe I've done soooooo much!

Anyway, upon arriving to Singapore there's a tourism campaing everywhere called "Uniquely Singapore." And it's true - I've already encountered amazing hospitality and unique options for my few days here! Immediately out of customs I started my normal foreign airport routine - check currency exchange counter for exchange rate, find ATM for cash, find info desk for transportation options, find way to hostel and set off! After scoring cash, I was almost immediately approached by a woman asking if I needed any help. She must have seen me glancing around reading signs. I told her I was trying to find the address of my hostel and then find a way to get there. She told me how to get the the city train, offered a few pieces of advice and then walked me over to the tourist info booth! The booth was beautifully decorated and full of info and right away a man was helping me with a map, a visitors guide and a few route options for getting to my hostel! It was amazing and inspiring that people were that quick to help.

Ah, but those were tourism employees, you say, not average people on the street! Well, after navigating the easy and clean train system into town I walked a block in the wrong direction before doubling back and getting my bearing correct. While stopped at an intersection, I broke my general rule and peeked publicly at a map to make sure I knew which way I was turning next. As soon as I did, a woman standing next to me asked if I was lost or needed help. I assured her, I knew where I was going, just wanted to be sure I went the right way, but she persisted and asked where I was headed and made sure I was taking the best route. We chatted for a minute or two and then she went on her way and I thanked her profusely for the random helpfulness on the street. I mean, tell me that's not amazing! This place is advertising strongly to bring people to see it, and it seems like the people at large want travelers to enjoy Singapore!

Anyway, there's a little happy rant. I'm staying in a groovy hostel/hotel up a hill, in a residential neighborhood 2 blocks from the busy area (and surprisingly quiet for being so close), and I've got my own room for the first time in a month! I'm going to enjoy it - take a long shower and sleep in my boxers! Maybe I'll try to snore on purpose! I'll figure something out! But for now, I'll sleep, and leave you with this:

Letter to the family tonight:
Hi everyone! I've just gotten to Singapore and even in my sweltering, luggage-hauling, uphill walk, I still instantly loved it here! I can't wait to explore tomorrow. I think I'm hopping to the island to do a gondola ride, some luging, maybe see a monkey, and a few other things, then back for some of the famous food courts, and an evening free tourist tour of the holiday lights and stuff! The people here are very friendly and McDonalds and KFC delivers! I think I could live here! :)

Anyway, I am now full scuba certified and even got an adventure certification to boot by doing a special boat dive, a night dive, and a deep (30 meters) dive! Now I can do all sorts of extra diving! The Great Barrier Reef is absolutely amazing and the company I went with was super-friendly, fun, obviously loving their jobs and the diving, plus they have exclusive dive rights to some key locations on the reef and a fantastic boat and chef with it! So glad I did that - definitely the highlight of Australia!

Never got to try kangaroo meat, but had some crocodile satay. The croc was good, but the Satay was not seasoned that well. Did some other interesting things and met and re-united with some super-great people as well. I can't believe I'm now in the whole new world of Asia for the rest of the year!

Time to call it a night I think! Talk to you all soon! :)